Belinda O'Hooley, Jackie Oates

About the show

Two of British folk’s most distinctive and highly-regarded artists join together in a brand-new, inspired collaboration.

Belinda O’Hooley, a renowned pianist, singer and composer, is best known as one half of O’Hooley & Tidow, who rose to international prominence for writing and performing the theme to the hit TV series Gentleman Jack (which also led to an acting role for Belinda on the iconic TV drama Happy Valley).

Drawing on her heritage in the west of Ireland, Belinda’s music showcases her unique, minimalist and deeply expressive style. The first woman in her family to reclaim a previously all-male tradition, she has found the freedom to interpret the music of her ancestors in her very own, singular way.

Belinda is also known for her inventive, minimalist, sometimes flamboyant accompanying of folk luminaries including Rufus Wainwright and Nic Jones.

Jackie Oates is a respected and sought-after singer, fiddle player, song-writer and multi-instrumentalist, widely known for her tender, arresting interpretations of traditional folk songs. A winner of two BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, Jackie has released numerous acclaimed albums including eight solo records. Jackie works on a steady stream of commissions which have recently ranged as widely as BBC Radio 3, The Orchestra of The Swan, LUSH Handmade Sound, and Yoto Music player for children.

During 18 months as Artist In Residence at The Museum Of English Rural Life, Jackie spent countless hours in the museum’s library researching the seldom explored area of English Lace Telling songs – a tradition of singing to accompany women’s textile work – from which her album Needle Pin, Needle Pin with John Spiers and her Radio Ballad The Lacemakers, were the results.

Jackie’s music for children and families is cherished by many. Her collection of traditional sleep songs in her 2013 album Lullabies, continues to be the soundtrack to many a bedtime, and most recently Jackie has collaborated with Nick Hart on his traditional Nursery Rhyme project. Those with pre-school children are familiar with Jackie’s vocal and instrumental contributions to the CBeebies smash hit Nick Cope’s Popcast.

The intuitive and responsive interplay between Belinda and Jackie, two musicians at the height of their power, makes for a compelling live experience.